Yankees at Royals
Derek Jeter looks to continue his torrid hitting when the New York Yankees take on the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. Jeter, who leads the American League with a .404 average, has gone 6-for-10 with a home run, two RBIs and four runs scored thus far in the four-game series. The captain is tops in the majors with 15 multi-hit performances.
New York may have been inspired by the words of closer Mariano Rivera, who vowed to return next season after a torn ACL in his right knee suffered Thursday ended his 2012 campaign.
Kansas City returned to its losing ways at home Friday as it fell to 1-11 on its own field. The Royals had won five of their previous seven games overall.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 3.69 ERA) vs. Royals RH Felipe Paulino (NR)
Kuroda has allowed two runs or less in three of his last four starts, including a victory over Baltimore on Monday in which he yielded one run and four hits in seven innings. The 37-year-old is seeking his first road win of the year as he is 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA in two outings. Kuroda will be facing Kansas City for the first time in his career.
Paulino is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game and make his season debut. The 28-year-old right-hander has been sidelined with tightness in his forearm. Paulino, who went 4-6 last year, lost his only career start against New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. The six runs on Friday matched New York's total over its previous four games.
2. Jeter has five home runs in 114 at-bats this season after hitting six in 546 at-bats last year.
3. Royals right-hander Greg Holland is slated to throw batting practice on Saturday and could begin a rehab assignment as early as Tuesday.